Question about solids...

[bensgirl1222]

DS is 5 months old and I took him to ped today. My ped told me to start giving him 3 meals a day. I made sure he knew DS was only 5 months and he still to start him on solids. Should I wait? I already started him on organic rice cereal Monday but wasn't planning on fruits/veggies until 6 months.

[micd]

I would do whatever you feel comfortable with. My DD's ped said I could start her at 4 months, but I waited until about 5 1/2 months and she was totally uninterested until about 3 weeks ago (and she's almost 7 months old now). I would just follow your DS's cues instead of worrying about his age. Also, I think it is better to wait to lessen the chance of allergies. My DD is only on 2 meals/day max right now (I was worried about her slow weight gain, so I am focusing more on nursing).

[jimmysgirl424]

bensgirl At the end of the day, you need to do what you feel most comfortable doing when it comes to feeding your son. DD's pediatrician told us to start her on solids at four months. We thanked her politely and went home, to continue her solely on BM until two weeks ago when we began giving her cereal. I just introduced squash and sweet potatoes recently. Solid foods at this point are more for getting your baby used to eating from a spoon, not for him to get his nutrition from them. If you aren't ready to give him more than just the cereal, then don't.

[bensgirl1222]

Thank you both! I think I will wait until 6 months.

[Marisa]

It sounds like your ped is very old school, and not in a good way. His advice is contrary to the latest guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (2005), which state that an infant's complete nutrition can and should come from breastmilk or formula only for the first six months. This dr. is assuming that you would go beyond just starting early to three meals a day -- something to aim for by maybe 8 or 9 months, if that! This advice sounds like what our parents were told when we were babies (according to what it says in my baby book, at least. :))

This is the link to the AAP policy statement on BFing (Feb 2005)

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496

Number 10. states:

Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life and provides continuing protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection....
Complementary foods rich in iron should be introduced gradually beginning around 6 months of age.....
Introduction of complementary feedings before 6 months of age generally does not increase total caloric intake or rate of growth and only substitutes foods that lack the protective components of human milk.

[Marisa]

...posted too soon! Darn you, no edit button!

It also says that

Unique needs or feeding behaviors of individual infants may indicate a need for introduction of complementary foods as early as 4 months of age, whereas other infants may not be ready to accept other foods until approximately 8 months of age

-- but I know that you've said how well your DS is doing with the BFing, as well as your recent decision to supplement, so it doesn't sound like you have a unique need to start feeding him three meals a day, KWIM?


Anyway, I see that you posted again so I'll quit preaching to the choir. ;)